State-of-the-Art Speakers

Dr. Bevan received his PhD in London and did postdoctoral work at the Salk Institute in La Jolla. He has held positions at MIT, Scripps Research Institute and the University of Washington. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Bevan will speak on the topic of "Regulation of the CD8 T Cell Response" on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 10:00 am – 10:30 am.

Shimon Sakaguchi is currently Director and Professor at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University and a Member of IFReC, Osaka University. His main research interest throughout his career has been the mechanism of immunological self-tolerance, in particular the roles of T-cell-mediated immunoregulation in autoimmunity, tumour immunity and organ transplantation. Dr. Sakaguchi will speak on the topci of "Regulatory T Cells for Immunological Tolerance" on Monday, May 3, 2010 from 10:00 am – 10:30 am.

Dr. Flavell is Sterling Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine, and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He received his B.Sc. (Honors) in 1967 and Ph.D. in 1979 in biochemistry from the University of Hull, England, and performed postdoctoral work in Amsterdam (1970-72) and Zurich (1972-73). Before accepting his current position in 1988, Dr. Flavell was first Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam (1974-79); then Head of the Laboratory of Gene Structure and Expression at the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London (1979-82); and subsequently President and Chief Scientific Officer of Biogen Research Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1982-88). Dr. Flavell is a fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine. Richard Flavell uses transgenic and gene-targeted mice to study T cell tolerance and activation in immunity and autoimmunity, apoptosis, and regulation of T cell differentiation.

Dr. Flavell will speak on the topic of "Innate and Adaptive Immunity" on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 10:00 am – 10:30 am.

Featured Specialty Symposia

Continuing in 2010, the American Transplant Congress will feature midday symposia designed for specialized audiences in the field of transplantation. This year's featured symposia are:

Sunday, May 2, 2010
11:00 am – 12:30 pm"Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Heart and Lung Transplantation"
As we have close to "defeated" acute cellular rejection, the attention of many in thoracic transplantation is focusing on antibody mediated rejection (AMR). This featured symposium, co-sponsored by ISHLT and ATC, will review the current understanding of AMR pathogenesis, describe clinical presentation of AMR and discuss current promising new experimental therapies.

"Implementing Vascularized Composite Allografts: A National Dialogue"
Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) refers to the transplantation of non-autologous peripheral tissues (e.g. hand) to replace non-reconstructible tissue defects. To date, over 30 patients have received VCA worldwide. Based on the early stages in the development of VCA, it is necessary to analyze the challenges to be faced as the field progresses. This midday symposium will focuse on specific donor related matters, clinical applications, and oversight of VCA.

Monday, May 3, 2010
11:00 am – 12:30 pm"Pancreas Transplantation: Current Controversies"
Despite the success of pancreas transplantation, allocation of pancreata, particulary in the context of combined pancreas-kidney transplantation, is not uniform. This session will address the controversies surrounding allocation of combined pancreas-kidney grafts, the relative benefits of pancreas after live donor kidney and the impact of allocation on center volume. The session should serve as a guide to professionals and OPO's in guiding policy on pancreas transplantation.

Controversies in Transplantation: Can a Regulated System for Living Donor Incentives Work?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
10:00 am – 10:45 am
The merits financial incentives for live organ donation in the US are debated. This session examines transplantation in two countries in which incentivized donation is operational and considers whether a similar strategy could be defined and ethically administered in the US, without negatively impacting the rest of the world?

Transplantation in Depth

"Towards Tolerance in Transplantation: Who are the New Players?"
Sunday, May 2, 2010
2:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Tolerance remains the primary elusive goal in transplantation. Novel molecules, structures and paradigms have recently been delineated, including cellular exhaustion, dnetritic cells, complement, NK cells and lymphoid organ structure. These may serve to guide the field in new directions for immune monitoring, immunosuppressive development, and immune strategies.

"Calcineurin Inhibitors: Love 'em or Leave 'em?"
Monday, May 3, 2010
2:15 pm – 5:00 pm
The introduction of cyclosporine and tacrolimus have made a dramatic impact on the success of organ transplantation. However, the nephrotoxicity of CNIs continues to be a dose limiting factor in their use. This in-depth session will define the mechanisms of efficacy and nephrotoxicity, explore potential alternative medications and end with lively debate on whether CNI nephrotoxicity is a true clinical entity.

Allied Health Symposia

"Waiting for Transplant: Maintaining Patient Readiness"
Sunday, May 2, 2010
2:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Creative and novel strategies have emerged in Waitlist Management and in narrowing the gap in time waitlisted to successful transplantation. A pro active approach is needed by the multidisciplinary team to manage the highly sensitized or incompatible donor/recipient. This symposium will focus on current waitlist management in the United States, the widening gap of supply and demand, and current state-of-the-art protocols in managing the complex transplant candidate.

"Healthcare Reform: Erosion or Empowerment"
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
How will health care reform redesign the health care for patients who have or will receive a transplant? A panel of experts will discuss their thoughts on Health Care Reform and the impact on transplantation.

Transplant Jeopardy: Essential Infectious Disease

Monday, May 3, 2010
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

The ATC presents Transplant Jeopardy live from San Diego! World-renowned experts in transplantation will solve clinical challenges and demonstrate their mastery of Transplantation and Infectious Diseases in front of a live studio audience. Jay Fishman takes on the role of Alex Trebek with contestants Jeffrey Crippin, Richard Freeman and Barbara Murphy, competing for prizes and sharing their expertise in all things Transplant. Transplant Jeopardy will be presented live at ATC 2010!

ATC-Night Out

By popular demand, we bring you the party of all parties–ATC Night Out! Come hang out at the Hard Rock Hotel, under the stars of beautiful San Diego, on the hip outdoor upper deck plaza. Drinks will be flowing (cash bar – this is a new era, folks!), DJ will be spinning hot tunes, and all sorts of surprise
entertainment might pop up throughout the evening 9pm -
1am. We need $25 from you to cover the venue (it's so cool it's worth every penny), snacks, and the DJ.

Tuesday, May 4, 9:00 pm – 1:00 am

ATC Night Out is available to Annual Meeting attendees for $25 before the meeting and can be added during the registration process. Onsite the price is $35.00, based upon availability.